X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

James Spader Biography

Birth Name:
James Todd Spader
Birth Place:
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Jobs before becoming a successful actor included yoga instructor, busboy, truck driver, stable boy and railroad-car loader
  • Studied acting at the Michael Chekhov School in New York
  • Has extremely poor eyesight and cannot wear contacts
  • Has said that when his characters do not wear glasses he can barely make out the faces of the other actors in the scene
  • Always wanting to spend more time with his family, he told GQ in 1990, "If I don't need the money, I don't work
  • " Received Emmys in consecutive years for portraying the same character in two series: The Practice in 2004 and Boston Legal in 2005

Awards

  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2012Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2011Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2005Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1990Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 1989Cannes Film Festival-Best Actor: winner

Relationships